City of Fairfield – Solar Feasibility
The Need
In 2023, the City of Fairfield established sustainability as a top strategic initiative and created Fairfield Sustains, a city-wide roadmap that includes a goal to increase local on-site renewable energy in municipal operations by 2030. The City identified its Wastewater Treatment Facility as a candidate for solar, based on its significant energy consumption and the availability of adjacent City-owned land. The City hired Go to study solar feasibility and support market engagement and vendor selection.
Our Approach
Go met City stakeholders to discuss their goals, motivations, interests, and project constraints. We then analyzed the site electricity use and bills to develop a “business-as-usual” case for energy and economic performance. Next, we researched, reviewed, and documented the technical, physical, and regulatory factors that would most significantly influence system sizing, economics, and potential project success. We produced multiple solar installation scenarios considering various system sizes and market conditions to model against the business-as-usual case. City stakeholders reviewed our findings and decided that the economics were favorable enough to engage the market!
Go supported the City by drafting a Request for Qualifications/Proposals, which received many responses. In 2025, Go continues to support the City as it determines its path towards installation.
The Results
In June 2025, Fairfield's City Council approved a contract with Melink Solar to install a ~1.5 MW solar system as it balances economics and emission reductions with existing electric infrastructure.
We hope that the solar array might be fully operational in 2026! Check back in later!
Our Role
Renewable Energy Consultant, Technical Advisor
The Client
City of Fairfield
Duration
2024 - 2025
Team
Marah Halper
Milena Walwer